Juan Mata speaks about possibly returning to Real Oviedo one day

Manchester United play-maker Juan Mata has been speaking to Radio Marca Asturias about the possibility of returning to Real Oviedo in the future.

The Spaniard started his youth career at the club, spending five years there before moving to Real Madrid in 2003.

While he never got the chance to play a senior match at Oviedo they clearly remain in his heart and he has hinted that he would like to turn out for them before he hangs up his boots.

Mata was speaking after Oviedo clinched promotion back to the second tier of Spanish football following a play-off victory against Cadiz at the weekend.

“I was very happy,” the United player said about the result.

He then went on to say, “I imagine playing again with Real Oviedo. One always thinks; hopefully we can all meet there.”

There is no chance of him leaving United any time soon, with the 27-year-old a key part of the club’s resurgence this season under manager Louis van Gaal.

Mata had to be patient when the Dutchman first arrived, but by the end of the season he was a regular starter, ending the campaign with 10 goals and four assists, including two wonderful efforts in the crucial victory against Liverpool back in March.

Vincent Ralph

After graduating with a degree in English Literature, Vincent completed a NCTJ-accredited qualification in newspaper and magazine journalism in 2005. Shortly after, in a somewhat leftfield move, he began working at a secondary school in Kent. After eight years – the last four of which were spent as Head of Sixth Form – he began to write full-time, combining his love of football with his passion for the written word.Alongside his work for HITC Sport, he also writes film reviews for HITC Lifestyle… along with the odd music interview when fate allows.